These are spiritual practices. Why does one have to be concerned that:

"...the vast majority of those in the art will agree with and will state unequivocally that those same goals are their current beliefs and practices." ?

Everybody's goals are different in this respect, which is fine, because it is a spiritual journey and therefore very personal in nature.

However, Japanese Budo is pretty much intrinsically bound to Zen. One can start there if they wish. O-Sensei, on the other hand, was involved with a Neo-Shinto sect. One can start there if they wish...

The physical manifestation/expression of both the martial and spiritual practices would be Takemusu Aiki.